Roy Keith Black
Encyclopedia
Roy Black was a British-born businessman, best known for owning and operating, Electronic Rentals Group, a UK public company during the 1960s in Dublin, Ireland specializing in television rentals. By 1970, ERG was the world's second largest Electronic Rental Company in the world with operations in 22 countries. In 1987, ERG was acquired by Granada Limited for an estimated $450 million. From 1967 to 1973, he owned Gola Sporting Goods
. He is the nephew of Reuben Viner and Viners
Cutlery, one of Europe's most prestigious family of silversmiths ordained by the British monarchy
. His wife, Maureen Black (née Peres) is the daughter of Harold Peres, legendary music producer and record distributor of Solomon and Peres
, a UK and Ireland-based company which later was acquired by Decca Records
.
In 1982, Black moved to San Diego, California, U.S., and owned and operated Video Library
, which later became Blockbuster Inc. In retirement, Roy served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Mingei International Museum
and was California Western School of Law
's Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1991 to 1994, and continued to serve as Chairman Emeritus. In 1995, he was awarded an Honorary Juris Doctorate. He is the grandfather of film and television writer, Keith D. Black
, the cousin to both British Politician, Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes and House of Common's Conservative MP, Phillip Oppenheim
and friend and business associate of Hank Greenspun
.
Gola (manufacturer)
Gola is a sporting goods manufacturer based in England. It was founded on 22 May 1905, in Leicester, England. Gola was purchased by the Jacobson Group and has since expanded its range drastically....
. He is the nephew of Reuben Viner and Viners
Viners
Viners is a UK brand of cutlery, kitchenware and dinnerware products, founded in 1901 in Sheffield.-History:The company, which grew to be the biggest cutlery manufacturer in England after World War II, was started around 1901 by Adolphe Viener, and his sons...
Cutlery, one of Europe's most prestigious family of silversmiths ordained by the British monarchy
British monarchy
The monarchy of the United Kingdom is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has reigned since 6 February 1952. She and her immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial and representational duties...
. His wife, Maureen Black (née Peres) is the daughter of Harold Peres, legendary music producer and record distributor of Solomon and Peres
Solomon and Peres
Solomon and Peres was a music and entertainment retailer, distributor and music production house based in Belfast, Northern Ireland and Ireland from 1924–1981, before becoming acquired by Decca Records. It was owned and operated by brothers-in-law Harold Peres and Morris Solomon who ran the...
, a UK and Ireland-based company which later was acquired by Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
.
In 1982, Black moved to San Diego, California, U.S., and owned and operated Video Library
Video Library
Video Library was a publicly traded videocassette rental company based in San Diego, California. It had 80 franchises from 1985 through 1989 before they were acquired and converted into Blockbuster Video in 1989.-History:...
, which later became Blockbuster Inc. In retirement, Roy served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Mingei International Museum
Mingei International Museum
The Mingei International Museum is a non-profit public institution that collects, conserves and exhibits folk art, craft and design. The museum was first founded in 1974 and its building opened in 1978. The word mingei, meaning 'art of the people,' was coined by the Japanese scholar Dr...
and was California Western School of Law
California Western School of Law
California Western School of Law, founded in 1924, is a private, non-profit law school located in San Diego, California. It is popularly known as California Western or Cal Western and formerly California Western University. The school was approved by the American Bar Association in 1962 and became...
's Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1991 to 1994, and continued to serve as Chairman Emeritus. In 1995, he was awarded an Honorary Juris Doctorate. He is the grandfather of film and television writer, Keith D. Black
Keith D. Black
Keith D. Black is a South African-born film screenwriter, best known for co-writing Princess and House of God .-Early life:...
, the cousin to both British Politician, Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes and House of Common's Conservative MP, Phillip Oppenheim
Phillip Oppenheim
The Honourable Phillip Arthur Charles Lawrence Oppenheim is a British businessman and former politician.-Life:Born in Lambeth, London, he is the son of former Conservative government minister Sally Oppenheim...
and friend and business associate of Hank Greenspun
Hank Greenspun
Herman "Hank" Milton Greenspun was the longtime, and often controversial, publisher of the Las Vegas Sun newspaper. He purchased the Sun in 1949, and served as its editor and publisher until his death...
.